Removable lower cover for hopper discharge outlet structure

ABSTRACT

A lower cover for a bottom discharge outlet structure of a hopper, particularly for a covered hopper railway car, positioned beneath a butterfly valve which controls the discharge of lading from the hopper. A locking arm is pivotally carried from the underside of the cover and a cam type lock is effected between the ends of the locking arm which extend beyond the cover and coacting lugs on the adjacent housing whereby upon rotation of the arm in one direction when the cover is beneath the bottom discharge opening the cover is drawn tightly against the housing in generally air-tight relation to releasably lock the cover in position. Upon rotation of the locking arm in an opposite direction, the cover is released and may be pivoted to an open position remote from the discharge opening to permit the gravity unloading of lading.

United States Patent Dugge et al. [451 Apr. 18, 1972 541 REMOVABLE LOWERCOVER FOR 3,298,323 l/l967 Becker et al 105/280 HOPPE DISCHARGE OUTLET3,030,093 2/1962 Dorey ..302/52 STRUCTURE 3,403,943 10/ 1968 Stine et al..302/52 Inventors: Richard II. Dugge, St. Louis County; Garth R. Smith,Maryland Heights, both of Mo.

Assignee: ACF Industries, Incorporated, New York,

Filed: Jan. 19, 1970 Appl. No.: 3,858

Primary Examiner-Evon C. Blunk Assistant Examiner-H. S. LaneAttorneyEugene N. Riddle [57] ABSTRACT A lower cover for a bottomdischarge outlet structure of a hopper, particularly for a coveredhopper railway car, positioned beneath a butterfly valve which controlsthe discharge of lading from the hopper. A locking arm is pivotallycarried from the underside of the cover and a cam type lock is effectedbetween the ends of the locking arm which extend beyond the cover andcoacting lugs on the adjacent housing whereby upon rotation of the armin one direction when the cover is beneath the bottom discharge openingthe cover is drawn tightly against the housing in generally air-tightrelation to releasably lock the cover in position. Upon rotation of thelocking arm in an opposite direction, the cover is released and may bepivoted to an open position remote from the discharge opening to permitthe gravity unloading of lading.

3 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures PATENTEDAFR 181972 SHEET 1 [1F 5 FIG.

FIG. 7.

INVENTORS. RICHARD H. DUGGE GARTH R.v SMITH QM 22 m ATTORNEY PATENTEDAPR18 I972 SHEET 2 0F 5 FIG. 2.

REMOVABLE LOWER COVER FOR HOPPER DISCHARGE OUTLET STRUCTURE BACKGROUNDOF THE INVENTION DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present inventionprovides a releasable locking arrangement for a lower cover which ispositioned beneath the closure for a bottom discharge outlet. Thereleasable locking arrangement comprises an elongate locking armpivotally supported intermediate its length to the lower surface of thecover. The arm extends beyond the outer circumference of the cover andhas a lug at each end thereof adapted to engage coacting lugs on theadjacent housing which supports the coverfor pivotal movement betweenopen and closed positions. The coacting lugs on the housing comprisecams for the arm and upon rotation of the arm in one direction atterthecoacting lugs are engaged for closing of the cover, the arm and coverare drawn tightly against the adjacent housing. Rotation of the arm inan opposite direction easily releases the cover for pivotal movement toan open position.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafterdescribed, the scope of the invention being indicated in the followingclaims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possibleembodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. 1 is aside elevation of a covered hopper railway car having thepresent invention thereon;

FIG. 2 is a top plan of a bottom outlet structure shown removed from therailway car of FIG. 1 and indicating the pneumatic and gravity dischargemeans;

FIG. 3 is a section taken generally along line 3-3 of FIG. 2 andindicating the lower cover in closed, position beneath the closure ofthe bottom discharge opening; I

FIG. 4 is a section taken generally along line 4-4 of FIG. 3' andindicating the lower cover in a closed position and forming a portion ofthe bottom of the pneumatic discharge conduit;

FIG. 5 is an elevation of the lower cover with the releasable lockingmeans thereof securing the lower cover in a closed position;

FIG. 6 is an elevation similar to FIG. 5 but showing the locking armmoved to an unlocked position to permit pivotal movement of the cover toan open position removed from beneath the bottom discharge opening; and

FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 4 but showing the lower cover moved toan openposition to permit a gravity discharge of lading from the bottomdischarge opening.

Referring now to the drawings for a better understanding of;

this invention, a covered hopper railway car is indicated generally 10and includes a plurality of hoppers 12. A bottom discharge outletstructure generally indicated 14 is provided at the bottom of eachhopper 12 to control the flow of lading therefrom. Hatch covers 16permit the loading of hoppers 12.

Referring particularly to FIG. 3, bottom discharge structure 14 has anupper flange 18 adapted to contact a mating flange 20 for securingbottom outlet structure 14 beneath superjacent hopper I2. Slope sheets21 of outlet structure 12 slope downwardly to a bottom discharge openingindicated generally 22. To control the flow of lading from opening 22, abutterfly valve 24 is mounted on an operating shaft 26 and forms aclosure for opening 22. Shaft 26 extends outwardly of outlet structure14 and a handle 28 is mounted on the outer end thereof for manualactuation of butterfly valve 24. A housing 30 receives shaft 26 ofbutterfly valve 24 and has a ratchet 32 adjacent handle 28. A detent 34on an end of lever 35 pivotally connected at 36 to handle 28 is adaptedto engage notches in ratchet 32 thereby to permit movement of valve 24.Lever 35 is biased into engagement with ratchet 32.

To permit pneumatic discharge of lading from hoppers 12, an elongatepneumatic tube or conduit generally indicated 40 has a removable cap 42adjacent each end thereof. For unloading pneumatically, a suitablepneumatic hose or the like may be attached to an end of pneumaticconduit 40 after removal of cap 42, and lading may be unloadedpneumatically upon opening of butterfly valve 24 by rotation of shaft26.

Forming a portion of the bottom of pneumatic conduit 40 is a covergenerally indicated 46 and positioned beneath butterfly valve 24 invertical axial alignment therewith. Cover 46 has an extension 48 securedto a pin 50 which is mounted for vertical sliding movement on bracket 54fixed to conduit 40 thereby to support cover 46 for pivotal movementbetween open and closed positions in a horizontal'plane beneathpneumatic conduit 40. A cotter 54 retains pin 50 on bracket 52. Anextension 56 on an opposite side of cover 46 has an upstanding lug 58with an eye 60 therein. A bracket 62 secured to a side of conduit 40 hasan elongate slot 64 therein adapted to receive'lug 58 as shown in FIG.5. A suitable seal or the like (not shown) may be inserted within eye 60in the closed position shown in FIG. 5 thereby to indicate any tamperingwith cover 46.

Mounted for movement about pivot 76 on the underside of cover 46 is areleasable locking arm generally indicated 78. Locking arm 78 extendsbeyond the outer circumference of lower cover 46 and has an angle-shapedlug 80 at each end thereof which forms an upper inturned leg 84.Pneumatic conduit 40 has a bottom opening 86 therein as shown clearly inFIG. 7 and an annular housing 88 extends about opening 86 and is securedto conduit 40. Housing 88 extends outwardly at 90 from opposite sides ofconduit 40 and forms inclined upper surfaces 92 thereon as shown inFIGS. 5 and 6. Inclined surface 92 has a rim 93 thereon to provide aseat for arm 78 as shown in FIG. 5. An extension 94 on locking arm 78has an opening 96 therein. Opposed cutout portions 97 of annular housing88 provide clearance for lugs 80 on the ends of arm 78 thereby to permita vertical movement of arm 78.

To maintain locking arm 78 in proper position for closing, a positioningpin generally indicated 98 has an elongate head 100 thereon and spring104 continuously urges pin 98 downwardly. Housing 88 has an extension106 with a pair of spaced lugs 108 thereon having inclined uppersurfaces facing in opposite directions. Pin 98 extends within opening 96of extension 94 in the closed locked position of cover 46.

Thus, to release cover 46 for movement to an open position from theclosed position shown in FIG. 5, head 100 is gripped manually androtated 90 for positioning on the upper surfaces of lugs 108 thereby tomaintain pin 98 out of opening 96 for unlocking of arm 78. In thisposition, locking arm 78 is manually rotated about pivot 76 to move legs84 over rims 93. Legs84 are then received within cutout portions 97which allows arm 78 and cover 46 to move downwardly out of opening 86 asshown in FIG. 6. In this position, cover 46 and arm 78 may be rotated toa position of FIG. 7.

To close cover 46, cover 46 and arm 78 are rotated to the position ofFIG. 6 and arm 78 is then moved upwardly until legs 84 engage the upperinclined surface 92. In this position, arm 78 is rotated to draw cover46 tightly against the pneumatic conduit. Then, head 100 may be rotated90 off of lugs 108 to permit pin 98 to enter opening 96 for releasablysecuring arm 78 and cover 46 in position.

It is to be understood that a locking arm similar to arm 78 could beemployed with other types of covers. For example, a locking arm could beused with a generally rectangular cover beneath a sliding gate closure,if desired. Further, in some instances, it might be desirable to employmore than one arm.

What is claimed is:

l. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be mounted beneath a hopper forunloading lading and comprising, a plurality of connected walls slopingdownwardly to a bottom discharge opening, a closure for said bottomdischarge opening movable between open and closed positions relative tothe discharge opening, a housing below the closure to provide agenerally vertically extending conduit for the lading upon opening ofthe closure, a removable generally circular cover on the outletstructure in generally vertical axial alignment with the closure andpositioned below the closure, means mounting the cover for pivotalmovement about a vertical axis between open and closed positions, anelongate locking arm beneath the cover, pivot means on said coversupporting the arm intermediate its length for pivotal movement in agenerally horizontal direction from a position generally beneath thecenter of the cover, said locking arm having generally angle-shaped endportions extending beyond the outer circumference of the cover with anupper horizontal leg of said end portions extending inwardly, and meanson said housing adjacent the cover having inclined cam-type surfacesadapted to engage the upper legs of said end portions to direct the armupwardly for drawing the cover tightly against the housing upon rotationof the arm in one direction about said pivot means when the arm ispositioned for closing the cover, the rotation of the am is an oppositedirection about said pivot means effecting a release of the arm andcover for pivotal movement of the cover about said vertical axis from aclosed position to open position.

2. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be mounted beneath a hopper forunloading lading and comprising, a plurality of connected walls slopingdownwardly to a bottom discharge opening, a butterfly valve mountedacross said bottom discharge opening and movable between open and closedpositions relative to the discharge opening, an elongate pneumaticconduit below the butterfly valve extending in a generally verticaldirection to receive lading from the hopper upon opening of thebutterfly valve for pneumatic discharge, a removable generally circularcover in generally vertical axial alignment with the butterfly valve andforming a portion of the bottom of said elongate pneumatic conduit,means mounting the cover for pivotal movement about a vertical axisbetween open and closed positions, an elongate locking arm beneath thecover, pivot means on said cover supporting the arm intermediate itslength for pivotal movement in a generally horizontal direction from aposition generally beneath the center of the cover, said locking armhaving generally angleshaped end portions extending beyond the outercircumference of the cover with an upper horizontal leg of said endportions extending inwardly, and means on said pneumatic conduitadjacent the cover having inclined cam-type surfaces adapted to engagethe upper legs of said end portions to direct the arm upwardly fordrawing the cover tightly against the conduit upon rotation of the armin one direction about said pivot means when the am] is positioned forclosing the cover, the rotation of the arm in an opposite directionabout said pivot means effecting a release of the arm and cover forpivotal movement of the cover about said vertical axis from closedposition to open position.

3. A bottom outlet structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein releasablemeans are mounted on the housing to secure the locking arm in the closedposition of the'cover.

@73 3 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent'%.666.666 Dated Agril 18. 1W2

lnvent fl Richard H. Duege and Garth R, Smith It is certified that errorappears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent arehereby corrected as shown below:

F Coiumn 3, line 22,"'is" should be" in Column a,

line 27', "1" should be 2 Signed and sealed this 17th day of October1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSGHALK Attesting Officer Commissionerof Patents

1. A bottom outlet structure adapted to be mounted beneath a hopper forunloading lading and comprising, a plurality of connected walls slopingdownwardly to a bottom discharge opening, a closure for said bottomdischarge opening movable between open and closed positions relative tothe discharge opening, a housing below the closure to provide agenerally vertically extending conduit for the lading upon opening ofthe closure, a removable generally circular cover on the outletstructure in generally vertical axial alignment with the closure andpositioned below the closure, means mounting the cover for pivotalmovement about a vertical axis between open and closed positions, anelongate locking arm beneath the cover, pivot means on said coversupporting the arm intermediate its length for pivotal movement in agenerally horizontal direction from a position generally beneath thecenter of the cover, said locking arm having generally angle-shaped endportions extending beyond the outer circumference of the cover with anupper horizontal leg of said end portions extending inwardly, and meanson said housing adjacent the cover having inclined cam-type surfacesadapted to engage the upper legs of said end portions to direct the armupwardly for drawing the cover tightly against the housing upon rotationof the arm in one direction about said pivot means when the arm ispositioned for closing the cover, the rotation of the arm in an oppositedirection about said pivot means effecting a release of the arm andcover for pivotal movement of the cover about said vertical axis from aclosed position to open position.
 2. A bottom outlet structure adaptedto be mounted beneath a hopper for unloading lading and comprising, aplurality of connected walls sloping downwardly to a bottom dischargeopening, a butterfly valve mounted across said bottom discharge openingand movable between open and closed positions relative to the dischargeopening, an elongate pneumatic conduit below the butterfly valveextending in a generally vertical direction to receive lading from thehopper upon opening of the butterfly valve for pneumatic discharge, aremovable generally circular cover in generally vertical axial alignmentwith the butterfly valve and forming a portion of the bottom of saidelongate pneumatic conduit, means mounting the cover for pivotalmovement about a vertical axis between open and closed positions, anelongate locking arm beneath the cover, pivot means on said coversupporting the arm intermediate its length for pivotal movement in agenerally horizontal direction from a position generally beneath thecenter of the cover, said locking arm having generally angle-shaped endportions extending beyond the outer circumference of the cover with anupper horizontal leg of said end portions extending inwardly, and meanson said pneumatic conduit adjacent the cover having inclined cam-typesurfaces adapted to engage the upper legs of said end portions to directthe arm upwardly for drawing the cover tightly against the conduit uponrotation of the arm in one direction about said pivot means when the armis positioned for closing the cover, the rotation of the arm in anopposite direction about said pivot means effecting a release of the armand cover for pivotal movement of the cover about said vertical axisfrom closed position to open position.
 3. A bottom outlet structure asset forth in claim 1 wherein releasable means are mounted on the housingto secure the locking arm in the closed position of the cover.